'Laissez les bons temps rouler' (Let the Good Times Roll)

Oh yes....it's that time of year again and we LOVE it!! What time you ask? Mardi Gras time of course. ^_^

Did you know that Mardi Gras began first in Mobile, AL in the year 1703? Oh yes, it's a long standing tradition and one we just can't get enough of. All the parades, the beautiful bright festive colors of green, purple and gold and Owwww Weeeee...the food!! Ohhh and getting to decorate for it too. Gotta so LOVE that!! I don't go all out but it's enough to make folks smile when they walk in the door.

Some of the beads we caught at a parade (standing in the rain) last year.

Oh yeah....we love our parades rain or shine...hehe

Now this handsome fella is Mr Ted E and he gets dressed up for several holidays around here..like Halloween and Christmas. Click on the links and see if you can find him.....hehe!! He is sporting more of the beads we caught from last year and his sweet owl mask. It fits us humans too but he likes wearing it the most. I LOVE making things and thought I might do a small "How To" on this mask. Want to learn? Well, let's get to it. 

What you will need:

Cardstock

scissors

pencil

black markers

paint

glue

string

feathers

I used a butterfly shape on the cardstock and cut it out. If you aren't good at drawing, no worries because I have a template you can use. (it has several different mask templates just in case you want to make several different mask)

These were found HERE

After you cut out the mask then you need to cut out 12 feather shapes....making one a bit larger than the rest. (it's going to be the nose) and then start gluing them on. I used regular Elmer's school glue (and no it doesn't dry purple..hehe) on just one end not the whole piece. We don't want our feathers laying down completely flat now do we? 

.

Here's the way I glued mine so you will have a pattern to follow.

Now once all the feathers are glued on and we have let it sit for about 5 minutes to dry, we are going to do some detail work. I used yellow for the beak and I used off white for the feathers we just glued on. 

Once you have detailed using your paint you can see that the feathers are pulling up......just like real feathers...all fluffy!! If some are sticking up more than you would like simply put a tad bit more glue. Now you can do some detailing with the black markers.

I glued some real feathers at the ears and the crown and then punched holes on either side of the mask and used my green string so that I could tie it on Mr Ted E. (or the Chazman's) head.  If this mask is going to worn and taken off a good bit then I would put some clear tape over the holes before you punch them out. It gives that area a bit more strength. I also tie knots on the front side of the string to keep it from pulling back through. I added some pretty beads just to give it some Umph...boy style. ^_^  If you didn't want to do the tie on the mask you could glue or tape a straw to it so it can be held or perhaps a smooth tiny branch to let it keep that outdoor feel or you could make your own holder out of paper. Just take a 12x12 piece of paper and starting at one corner, roll tightly on the diagonal. Once you have rolled the entire piece take and tape the end down. If little hands are the ones that are going to be holding this then I might even neatly tape the whole thing. Just a thought!!

There are so many ways to make cute mask. You can use paper plates....simply cut plate in half, cut some eye holes and decorate. Did you know that letting your kiddo do an outline of their hands and then cutting them out makes a cute mask to be decorated?. Ohhhh, I kid ya not!!

Found this cute idea HERE.

It makes a great rainy day project or snow day project (for most lately it's several snow days inside) and one I hope that you will do and have fun with it. 

Until next time.........HUGS,

Regi

Let's recycle some toilet paper holders, shall we..hehe

Yes......you read my title right. Let's get out those toilet tissue and paper towel holders you have been saving. WHAT?? You haven't been saving any. Well...ya just might want to start after this "How To". Let's get started, shall we? ^_^

First ya need to gather some things...yes yes....besides the holders and you probably have everything already on hand.

The main items are of course the holders, some glue, scissors, pencil, felt and scrapbook paper.

You can use other items instead of the felt and paper....like leather, fabric, wallpaper. Just

about anything you can glue and wrap.

 You will also need a tape measure or ruler, exacto knife and sharpie.

I already told ya about the pencil...hehe

This is optional but I use it whenever I make one because it gives the holder

that extra balancing strength. I make a good bit of my bracelets with beads

and or stones so I need the stability to the piece. 

First thing I do is take the toilet tissue holder and lay it down on the scrapbook paper. I just happen to have the perfect size height wise. I keep all my scrap pieces and soooo happy happy that I do, just for this reason. Place the holder on the portion of the paper that you want showing. Then fold the paper over the holder and cut the paper to wrap around once. Make sure you leave enough to cover the seam. No gluing yet...lay the paper to the side for now.

Next take the paper towel holder and lay it on your felt. The felt squares you buy at the craft store are actually a perfect fit for this project. It leaves about 1/2 inch on either side and that's a good thing. Roll the holder over the felt and cut down the length and remember to keep enough to cover your seam. We don't want to see any paper holder when finished with our pretty bracelet holder now do we. NOOO , we don't!!

Now do the same as you did when finished measuring for the other holder. Lay it aside and no gluing yet!!

Most paper towel holders are 11 inches and we need to find the center. Mark it so you know where it is and then place the toilet tissue holder on top of it and mark all around it. I have trouble seeing pencil so once I mark it off with it, I take my sharpie and highlight it. You may not have old eyes like me and can skip this part. HAHA  

I use my exacto knife to get started with. You need to cut out the circle you just drew and don't worry if ya have to cut it a bit more in just a moment. I always have to but I'd much rather clip a bit here and there than to make the hole to big to start with. Then ya get to start this part all over!! You want the hole to be big enough to slip the toilet tissue holder inside....like making a "T".

Avast me hearties....we just made a pirate eye patch...hehe

Wasn't that easy....we're all done!!  Ohhhhh, I'm just teasing, come back here. Did ya forget about the felt and paper we cut out? Now it's time to decorate our holder.

Take your scrapbook paper and cover it with glue. Place the toilet tissue holder on the edge and slowly start to roll it over the paper. Take your time so that the paper stays straight on the holder. When you get to the end dab a little bit more glue on and push the seam down really well. Make sure to wipe off any excess glue.

I normally take a small piece of the felt and glue it to the bottom. Once the glue is dry you can clip around the base.

Take the felt and dab glue on the end you are going to start rolling at. Roll it enough to make it stick and then take your glue and put it all over the holder. Slowly roll the holder over the felt and once completely wrapped dab some glue on the seam and press down. Wipe any excess off. 

Remember the 1/2 inch I told ya would hang over the ends? Here's why I said that was a good thing. Place some glue inside the holder and then fold the extra in and smooth all around. This gives it a nice finished look.

Depending on the glue you used I would let the paper towel holder sit and dry for a few minutes. Once dry take the exacto knife and punch a hole where our original hole was. No worries...you will be able to see it, it dips in.  Now take your scissors and cut an X taking it right up to the end as close as you can get.  Looks kinda like lips puckering up...hehe  Then simply push them inside and place the toilet tissue holder into the hole. If you aren't going to be putting any heavy bracelets on the holder then you are finished. If you are then let's do this step to have a strong base.

I normally use the same scrapbook paper I used to cover the toilet tissue holder with. I find an area that I want to use and hold the disc behind it up to the light so that I can see that it lines up where I want it to be.

Take the disc still behind the paper and flip over. Trace around the disc and then cut the circle out. Put some glue on the disc and glue the paper down. Let it dry a bit and then just trim any overhanging edges. Glue the holder to the base and you're finished this time. (unless you're like me and want to add a few more embellishments. I like to run one of my twisted square knot ropes around the toilet tissue holder where it meets the disc base.)

That's how you make a cute bracelet holder out of toilet tissue and paper towel holders. Pretty niftty, eh? If you're wondering where I got the disc from it's an old playstation disc. Yes...I keep just about everything. I mean ya never know when I might need it...hehe

Until next time......Hugs,

Regi

Ohhhh, I felt like someone was "watching" me while I was making this and I was right. No No it wasn't my ghostie friends. It was sweet Callie Bear. That's Boo all curled up napping!!

Time for a Thursday Tutorial!!!!

I love making decorations but of course ya'll already knew that....hehe!!! I wanted to share one of the ways I make a wreath with you. It's inexpensive and very VERY easy peasy to make. I bet you have most of the items we will need on hand already. If not then all can be purchased at Dollar Tree. I LOVE Dollar Tree, don't you? Here's what you'll need:

A swim noodle

coffee filters

scissors

glue gun

duct tape

string

embellishments

See, I told you that most items you would probably already have on hand....so let's get started. First thing is to decide on how big you want your wreath. Once decided take your scissors and cut into the noodle but not all the way through it. Cut around until you are back at your starting point. Pull the pieces apart. Now you will see why I told you not to cut all the way through. There is a long piece of plastic inside the noodle and if ya hold it in one hand and over your head and then twirl it, it makes the coolest whistling sound. HEY, ya already know how quirky I am and I love to make noise. (where do you think the Chazman gets it from)

Ok now, you can put the piece of plastic down for now...hehe  Pull the ends of the noodle together and duct tape with several pieces. Ya might need a bit of help with this part. It makes it sooo much easier if someone holds the noodle together for you. (yes yes, I'm speaking from experience) Once it's all taped up then take a piece of string and cut it about an arm length....that's from your shoulder to your fingertips. Yes, I measure Southern gal style. ^_^   Fold the string in half and then tie the two loose ends together with a double knot.

Place the string over the top of the noodle where the duct tape is...this is the top of your wreath and pull it through itself. This makes a great hanging loop for when you are finished. I always place a piece of duct tape on the back to keep the string securely in place.

Isn't duct tape awesome?

Next step is to lay the noodle down on your workspace with the string at the top. Take a coffee filter and place your finger in the center and fold upwards like you are making a flower. Twist one time (after you remove your finger of course) and flatten bottom. 

Take your glue gun and please please be careful (yes yes speaking from experience again) and put a few dabs on the bottom of the filter. Then place filter on to the noodle. If  the back of your wreath is going to be showing then you will probably want to spray paint it white or cover it in felt before starting this process. Mine doesn't show so I just started gluing!! 

This is with three filters already in place. With mine I did four rows starting at the top and coming downward. It helps if you lift the noodle up every so often to check and see what kind of coverage you are getting. From this point ya just keep folding flowers and gluing....folding flowers and gluing....folding...OK OK ya get my drift....hehe. 

An important thing to remember is the glue that comes out of a glue gun is HOT HOT HOT!!! I have found that if I take the flower and bunch it up as I press it on the noodle or I take a wooden stick and push it on that I don't burn my fingers as easily or as often. Now...back to folding flowers and gluing....folding flowers and gluing. Ohhhh...don't get into a rush...you will be doing this routine for a while yet. It took me about an hour and a half to make mine but that's because I have to get up and stretch these old bones...can't sit in one place to long. Ya might be faster or slower...it doesn't matter which just have FUN!!!

Now once you have all the noodle covered that you need to then hold it up and see if there are any spaces that might need a little extra flower pressed in. I guess I should call them snowflakes, eh? I mean this is a Christmas wreath. Ohhhhh....don't try and put the snowflakes really close together in the beginning or you WILL be taking longer than my time to complete. That's the good part about checking it after you're all done.

All you do after adding the snowflakes (that's filters) is add whatever embellishments you want. They really look pretty plain but I like to add purties to things...so I did. I added one of my handmade snowflakes and if you would like to make one of those too then just click HERE and go to my tutorial on making one. They're fun to make too and you will be surprised at what they are made of. Well...if ya know me then ya might not be surprised at all. 

I also added a pretty dark red bow just to give it some color and to pull it into the other decorations that are in the B&B room...hehe

This is a fun project to do with others...like a girls day out. I have been thinking about having some craft parties just not sure I know enough gals that would come.  Perhaps I will try and have one or two next year and see how they turn out. I mean what would be more fun than to get together with the girls, eat some snacks, gossip a bit (hehe), drink some wine (AFTER the glue gun is turned off) and just have a good time AND make something pretty to take home. 

This wreath also looks very pretty if you use the natural colored coffee filters...it gives it a vintage look. Love vintage and before ya ask, I used the white ones because #1 that's what I had on hand and #2 I wanted to use my handmade snowflake. ^_^  

This wreath can be made for other holidays too just by changing the filters. You could use tissue papers in red for Valentines or pastel colors for Easter or black and orange tissue paper for Halloween. I think your imagination can take it from here. 

Now stop twirling that plastic tube over your head and get to crafting....hehe

Until next time.........Hugs,

Regi

Oh oh ohhhhh, if you have any questions, please feel free to post a comment and I will get back with you. Leave an email addy too...that always helps. Hugs again!!!

Whoaaa...my muse is singing and singing and singing!!!!

WOW....I wish that ya'll could have see me yesterday. I know you would have laughed or giggled or possible even both. Make sure when you envision what I'm about to tell ya...that ya won't be drinking anything. Ya know...so it don't come snorting outa your nose or anything..hehe.  As soon as I got home from taking the Chazman to school, my muse started singing up a storm and man oh man did she ever have me running around in circles. I mean real circles peoples and running...really running!! I started the day out sewing and then would JUMP up with needle and fabric in hand and keep sewing while I would go and collect things I needed to use to make jewelry...pieces I wanted to make that just POPPED into my head.

My sewing projects...by hand. (my machine decides NOW to act up)

Cat and frog are all sewn up. Monkey is being worked on. Dragon still waiting his turn.

All will be painted when all sewn up!!

 Yeppers....I sat my sewing down and started right on making jewelry pieces. Why you ask? Because my muse told me too of course. (and for the fact that she would NOT stop singing. Have you ever heard a faerie muse sing? They hit those really HIGH pitches) I worked on jewelry for a bit and then JUMPED up AGAIN and ran to the back to work on some cards to put the jewelry on.

I decided to use some of my doodles for these instead of the pretty lady I have been using. Once I got those printed off then up I would JUMP again and start back sewing.

 I felt like a mad woman I tell ya....truly MAD!!! (not mad in a grrrrrr angry kinda way but mad as mad hatter) I couldn't seem to concentrate on any one thing for long periods of time. My muse just kept on singing and singing and singing and I just couldn't keep up!!!

I was so relieved when it was time to go pick up the Chazman from school. I mean "WHEW" I so needed to just sit and chill a bit. I know truly know what the saying "running around like a chicken with it's head cut off" means. Now you would think sitting in a car with it raining and patiently waiting that I could have gotten a bit of a rest but NOOOO, my muse whispered to get pen and paper out and start jotting down some notes for clay ideas. OMGOSH!! I wrote down 7 different ideas for a Halloween witch series. As soon as the Chazman and I got home I had to, of course, sit down and start sculpting. I started working on some clay spell books.

Now.....did ya picture me jumping up, running around, busy busy doing this and that and being dressed like the mad hatter? HEHE (hope it made ya smile) I'm going to be jumping and running around again today and I hope I will have the strength to show some more WIP photos come tomorrow.

Until next time...............Hugs,
Regi